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The University of Cauca opened its doors to “La Matriarca”: a cinematic journ...

The University of Cauca opened its doors to “La Matriarca”: a cinematic journey through history and memory

29 April, 2026

Within the framework of the #AsíFueEl2025 series, we recall the screening and discussion of “La Matriarca” at the University of Cauca, a Colombian film that tells the moving story of Dionisia, an Indigenous woman caught in the Thousand Days’ War, and her transformative encounter with Hortensia and Salvador.

“La Matriarca,” a cinematic project based on real events, emerged from the family memory of its director, the caucano filmmaker Julián Casanova, who devoted years to researching this story in order to bring it to the big screen. The film offers a profound perspective on suffering and resilience in times of war, highlighting the strength of women amid conflict and their crucial role in Colombia’s historical narrative.

The lead actress, Luminixa Gómez, a caucana performer, expressed her pride in returning to her homeland and sharing her experience portraying Hortensia. “Playing this character has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. Originally, it was an antagonistic role, but its development led the director to decide that she would become the protagonist. The story of Dionisia and Hortensia intertwines in the midst of war, which completely transforms Hortensia’s perception of Dionisia and her ancestral wisdom. This encounter between the two represents a bridge between cultures and times, something I consider fundamental in our history,” she explained with great clarity.

During the discussion with the students, the production team addressed the major technical, logistical, and human challenges they faced, intensified by the context of the pandemic. In this regard, Helen Casanova Gómez, Executive Producer of “La Matriarca,” shared that “Filming in the midst of the pandemic was a monumental challenge; from securing actors to complying with biosecurity protocols. Creating a cinematic work under those conditions was a complete challenge, but it was worth it to tell such an important story. Each obstacle overcome became a testament to the resilience of the team and to the importance of telling our stories.”

The film is “love in times of war,” a message that resonates from a female perspective, showing how women can transform and heal, both themselves and their territories in moments of crisis. This approach not only enriches the narrative, but also invites reflection on the role of women in history, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in the way the stories of our past are told.

For the student community, Colombian cinema became an enriching pedagogical space. “The film gave me a different perspective on what happened in Colombia during the Thousand Days’ War. This type of screening at the University not only enriches the academic trajectory, but also invites us to engage with diverse cultural spaces and to understand our history from a new perspective. It is essential for students to have access to these narratives so they can connect with their identity and heritage,” stated Diego Vergara, Master in Plastic Arts and author of the work “Marcos.”

Thus, with the screening of “La Matriarca,” this nearly bicentennial house, which is also #HeritageOfAll, reaffirmed its commitment to cinema as a medium for memory, reflection, and academic dialogue. In this way, for those who lead educational processes at the University of Cauca, it is essential not to lose sight of the fact that in this institution, art is envisioned as a vital tool for understanding history, healing territories, and strengthening the comprehensive education of its university community. These types of initiatives not only enrich academic life, but also contribute to the construction of a more conscious and empathetic society.